Faster and Safer!

Have you ever wondered how you could make your computer and internet connection work faster? Do you want to save your data automatically without the need for a back up? Are you looking for a way to keep your information safe? Well Cloud Computing is the answer! Last week I attended a seminar all about it. Let's take a closer look at its advantages.
First of all, your slow computer will become faster using the cloud. You don't need to back up your data because cloud computing stores and maintains it. Therefore, your data will never be lost. This in turn suggests that you don't need to use a memory stick which leaves your computer safe from viruses. However, if you happen to come across a file that has a certain virus, you don't need to worry because it will not be uploaded. Another advantage is that cloud computing allows you to access your files from multiple devices. One last idea worth mentioning is that cloud computing makes your internet connection faster.
Adding to the advantages, the presenter also mentioned the different types of cloud computing. They include:

Storage only type systems  and this one saves your data on the cloud .
Software as a service it allows you to use programs on the internet like word ,excel , Photoshop, etc.
Platform as a service is a  service that allows users to create SAAS applications
Google for Education which offers unlimited storage.
Hybrid systems.
Google Print which allows you to print form multiple locations and devices however you should have Google Chrome and an HP printer .
Cloud Antivirus which is faster and lighter than  the traditional anti viruses.

Peace

It's very hard for me to express myself when it comes to talk about her. She is someone very special to me, she is very smart and beautiful. I consider her someone magical and amazing. I have never been across someone with such a beautiful and clean heart. I have never been across someone with such a talented and glamorous mind. Yes, it is my blind niece Rima who has taught me that life is beautiful with all its colors. She taught me the true definition of being patient and accepting everything in life no matter what. She is two years younger but taller than me. She is studying Mathematics at the American University of Beirut and everyone is just shocked with her amazing performance. I want to share a short poem with you which she wrote when she was twelve. It is one of my favorite poems.

PEACE

If everyone were friends,

We’d have less fighting.

If everyone were friends,

We’d have fewer enemies.

If everyone were friends,

We’d have a peaceful world.

If all violence was no more,

We’d have less fallen men.

If all violence was no more,

Our hearts would never be filled with dread.

If all violence was no more,

We’d have a peaceful world.

If we were all less greedy,

There would be enough for everybody.

If we were all less greedy,

We could all be wealthy.

If we were all less greedy,

We’d have a peaceful world.

                                                                                                                               Rima Kaddoura


Indeed, if we all worked together we would all be happy and satisfied. We would have a peaceful world. A world where everyone’s the same, where there’s no violence, no harm and no disguise.

The Two Year Old Aunt

Whenever anyone becomes an aunt or an uncle they get so excited and start thinking that they're so cool but old! I'm okay with the excited and cool part but you have to excuse me about the old part. If you consider yourself old because you have just become an aunt (or uncle if you're a guy off course) then you are probably crazy. I became an aunt when I was two! Yeah! I know that was exactly my reaction too! It took me a while to digest the idea but right now I just love the fact that my nieces and nephews are very close to my age. It's really something different and special I would say. We get along and do different activities together, we are like friends. The best part though is that being their aunt gives me some type of privilege to yell at them. However, they do bug me and think that they are so funny when they call me "aunty" in front of strangers. Here's when people turn around with their mouths wide open and start saying "No way! There's no way! Really? You are their aunt? That's so Weird!" Well let me tell you, Yes Way! and the funny part is that many people don't believe that I am their aunt. One time someone wanted proof! Isn't that hilarious?
You're probably thinking why is this girl telling us that she became an aunt when she was two? Who cares?
The idea is that they were the ones who helped me learn English. My nephews and niece helped me learn way more than the books and the school. They were always there speaking to me in English which helped me speak the correct way. They made me get used to listening to them in English, they made me listen to songs in English, they made me watch shows and movies in English, they made me read books in English and they made me speak in English. Plus, whenever I would make a mistake, my niece would point it out and correct it on the spot. I want to thank them and tell them that I would have never been able to become an English teacher without them. They helped and supported me till the end.

English and the "es" Ending!

When we hear the word Englishes; the important part is that “es” ending at the end there. Some people don’t really pay attention to it but others will stop and say that there is no such word as “Englishes”. They declare that English does not have a plural form. However, as David Crystal states “Oh yes it does, Englishes is very definitely around”.

David Crystal informs us the word “Englishes” came into being about ten to fifteen years ago, to reflect the reality of what happens when English becomes a global language..
As you look around the modern English world, you see English developing in almost all countries in the world. All countries of the world have English either as a first language or a second language. And it doesn’t take long for a country to take the English that wherever it came from whether it’s Britain, America or Australia and then start to adapt it to make it their own. Everywhere in every part of the world there is a new variety of English growing which is culturally influenced (David Crystal). Crystal explains that some expressions used in a particular place are related to the country itself and its culture. In Britain for example, a famous expression is “it was like Clapham Junction in there”. This is a very common expression in Britain. “We understand the grammar, the vocabulary as well except the name, and the pronunciation. But not knowing the name doesn’t allow us to understand the sentence” Crystal explains. Clapham Junction is the name of the most chaotic railway station in London. So it has become an idiom meaning “it was chaotic in there, it was terribly busy”. So when you come out of a room and you say it was like Clapham Junction in there you mean that it was very busy and chaotic in there. That is British English.
To sum up then,  the English language will keep on gaining status and importance around the globe and new varieties of English will result. We will have more World Englishes indeed. Yes with that “es” ending at the end there.

References

David Crystal, World Englishes, retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_q9b9YqGRY

Why do we Forget?

It is very hard to keep track of all what revolves around you. It is more than normal to forget dates, phone numbers, names and even places. The pass of time and non-usage of certain information is a big reason of why you forget. Retrieval Failure is the theory that explains this point. Another reason to why you forget is because new information entered interferes with previously already present information in your head. This idea is supported by the Interference Theory. Another reason you forget is explained through Failure to Store Theory. This theory explains that you might forget a concept or matter because you didn’t really encode it the right way and it never got to your long-term memory. Lastly, Motivational Forgetting is a well known theory. From its name; it suggests the idea of wanting to forget specific events or experiences on purpose; usually very affectionate and traumatic life experiences.

Last but not least, exercise, rehearse and motivate yourself to live without worrying about forgetting. Pay attention to what you do, think a thousand times before taking any action. Practice repetition and chunking. Use your own environment to help you keep track of all your work in this busy life. Don’t forget to make your own life style and remember you may not be the best but you could always be better than the rest.

Children Stories

Children need to be exposed to good quality trade books in order for them to learn about the world and arise as good readers. These books should be related to their own childhood experiences which therefore makes it interesting for them. The main point is to let the child enjoy the story. Enjoyment allows children to never forget about the story; it will also make the child build a positive perception towards reading. Moreover, literature for children builds up imagination. It allows them to accept different ideas and beliefs. It also teaches them how to solve problems. Furthermore, children stories also contribute in building for the child a sense of empathy and understanding. In other words, they will understand that humans are alike and they will empathize with others. Therefore, it is very essential to expose children to good quality trade books from birth. This way they’ll extend their interest and concern for reading from their early years.

Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

This is one of my favorite poems which I took in a Poetry course in university. The poem vividly reflects what happens when an army is going to fight. Nonetheless, the poet wishes to express and emphasize his disapproval of wars. He wants to call the attention to the negative effects on soldiers who fight in wars. He also wants to highlight the idea that dying for one’s country is not sweet and honorable. He wants the reader to realize that there is no glory in war. Wilfred Owen succeeds in convincing the reader that war is terrible and devastating, because of his excellent use of vivid language and imagery, which torment the mind and put the reader in great agony.Wilfred Owen unquestionably touches the reader. He makes us believe that war is horrible and devastating. He also addresses his voice and makes his point clear that going to war is not honorable and sweet and that dying for one’s country is an old lie. Wilfred Owen assures that there is no glory in war. War is like the scariest nightmare anyone could ever have. While you’re in the battlefield you suffer by having to put up with the most unbearable physical pains. After you leave, the disturbing images you witnessed will just keep haunting you day and night. In other words, war takes away psychological tranquility. Therefore, war is like a plague that destroys the human being altogether. Owen makes us think of war that way, for using such vivid language which makes us form disturbing images of the soldiers in our minds.
 

                           

Whose Fault is It?

Students in school and universities tend to link either their success or failure to a certain aspect or various aspects. Attribution is the term which links the student’s beliefs about causes of outcomes and how do those beliefs affect their expectations and behavior. Students who fail tend to attribute their failure to their own abilities which is a negative attribution for it only produces hopelessness. They also attribute their failure to uncontrollable factors like luck or the test itself. The point I wish to emphasize here is that it is okay to fail a test, a competition or any aspect in life because in the words of Henry Ward Beecher “Man’s best successes come after their disappointments”. One must believe that failure is only a life lesson to find the key for a change. If you fail an exam at school, take a firm decision and start working for improvement and progress. Don’t give up easily; believe in your abilities and efforts. Don't blame the test or your luck. It's you! and you can change. Just pay attention in class; ask questions don’t be shy of your perspectives and opinions. Do your homework and be well prepared. Your actions define who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing. Do not attribute your failure to your abilities it will only produce hopelessness and shame or anger. Remember that “ability” is not a stable factor. It can be changed.

                                  

How to Learn a Second Language?

Second language acquisition is not an easy task. However, there are two central keys related to this concern: will and practice. When you have the will you will find the way. Build your own reasons to learn, that will push your interest level of wanting to learn. If you don’t have any interest or concern in learning the language you won’t really learn much. Moreover, stay in practice in order to stay connected to the language. When you don’t practice you will notice that what you learned deteriorates. Similarly, if you work out on a daily basis and suddenly stop it gets hard to get back to the routine. Therefore, it is only fair to say that the learning process never ends, even when you feel that you’re pretty fluent in the target language the chances are you’re not. You will always encounter something new to learn. The point is to always expose yourself to material that is above your level. And so you can say that you learned something new, not just reviewed what you already knew. “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.” Dolly Parton. So taking risks and learning difficult things will color your days thereafter.